I Can - I Just Don’t Always Know I Can

We’ve probably all done those kinds of things. You know, the things that cause us to bang the palm of our hand against our forehead and utter out-loud “Stupid, stupid, stupid.” It is self analysis of our own previously performed inane actions. That particular morning I was already running late. I had to take my grandson to daycare and then get to the office in time for an early morning meeting. It was winter time and bitterly cold that morning. Of course, this year that could be late April. The other day someone said they had been singing, “I’m Dreaming of a White Easter.”

Anyway, I had gone out to warm up my truck before we headed out. I went back into the house for one final cup of coffee and another episode of Thomas the Train. I bundled Drew up in his warm winter coat and hat and we headed for the rear passenger side of the truck where his car seat was located. I pulled on the door handle and immediately had that sick in the pit of my stomach feeling. My first thought and hope was that the passenger doors were locked but the driver’s door was not. My first thought was incorrect and my hope melted like an Alabama snow. There I stood in the freezing cold, with my then three year old grandson, locked out of my truck. I told Drew I would take him back inside the house while I figured out what to do but guess what. You are a good guesser, aren’t you? I had indeed locked the house door behind me and you already know where that key was too. Once upon a time, long, long ago, I had a spare house key hidden outside for such occasions. Unfortunately, on the last such occasion the spare key had not made its way back to its hiding place.

I weighed my options. I could try to open the door with a coat hanger - if I only had a coat hanger. We could walk the three miles to my office but that door requires a key too. You guessed right again. I could break out one of the windows of my truck but I didn’t have any cardboard or duct tape. Then, finally, a smart thought finally crawled across my brain. My cell phone – my smart phone – my smarter than me smart phone - was in my pocket. I pulled up the internet and searched for locksmiths in the area. The third one I called would be less than one hundred dollars and could be there in less than two years. Twenty minutes and eighty dollars later, Drew and I were inside the toasty truck and backing out of the driveway.

I had completely forgotten about that experience until a few months later. As I looked for something in a dresser drawer I found a keyless lock clicker. I didn’t remember having it or what it unlocked. Boy, you are good! We should try to get you on Jeopardy. I tried the clicker on my truck and then banged the heel of my hand against - well you know the rest. I had unnecessarily wasted eighty dollars and time I didn’t have. I had the power to unlock the door the entire time and didn’t even know it. I’m reminded that sometimes we have the power and ability to accomplish much more than we ever realize. The apostle Paul said, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”